The Dolores Schools theater group will perform The Canterville Ghost, based on the short story by Oscar Wilde, on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., and on Nov. 7th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“We’ve been doing a lot of comedies, but this one is a more complicated play that blends comedy and heartfelt scenes,” said drama teacher Pete Swingle.
Nine cast members from grade 6 to grade 12 are in the play, which has a Halloween theme. The setting is an old English manor haunted by a 400-year old ghost.
“The audience can expect a lot of special effects in the lighting and sound. The dialogue is fast-paced,” Swingle said. “Our lead actor is perfect for the role, and has the chops to play the ghost.”
Sophomore Sarah Cochrane plays ghost Sir Simon who fails to scare the family despite his best efforts.
“There’s a lot of mist and physical humor,” she said. “The ghost character has a lot of energy, and is a bit of a dweeb. There are moments between characters that are really sweet.”
Wilde’s short story was adapted into a play by Pat Cook. The family refuses to believe in the ghost, which is a commentary by Wilde on the British nobility of the day, according to Stage Script. The tale is rich with allusion, but ends up as sentimental.
Cook puts Sir Simon “through a maze of dithering maids, spoiled brats, blustering bosses and one realtor who’s always on the look out for a free lunch. But it’s Sir Simon you feel sorry for because he cannot leave unless someone solves the riddle and lifts the Canterville Curse.”
Junior Aiden Hopcia plays Mr. Otis “who is kind of a scare-ty cat, and is not into ghosts.”
But his wife, the eccentric Lucy Otis, played by Allyssa Ludington, appreciates the ghost, and goes all out to try and find him.
“She starts out as calm and collected, then goes off into her own world so that is fun to portray,” Ludington says.
The play has a mystery component to it, and a good positive message as well, she adds.
“It teaches the audience to get to know people before you form an opinion on first glance.”
Garrett Cobb is the stage manager for the play, and Zenda Olson is the art director. The stage and props were built by students in Dane Gallagher wood shop class.
The new theater program in Dolores puts on two main plays a year in the fall and spring plus one act dramas in February.
“It’s become quite popular and is filling a creative niche for students,” Swingle said.
A preview of the play will be shown for grades 5-8 on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
